After winning the final game of the UFL season, the Memphis Showboats earned the number one pick in the 2024 UFL College Draft.
The Showboats focused on offense more often in the draft, selecting six players on that side of the ball. Many were surprised that the team only picked one offensive lineman after the unit struggled all season. However, they did find their potential quarterback of the future in Jason Bean from Kansas.
SI.com takes a look at each pick from the Showboats.
Good day to be a BOAT
— Memphis Showboats (@USFLShowboats) July 17, 2024
Take a look at all our picks from the 2024 UFL College Draft⬇️✨ pic.twitter.com/QL5EvLyWXC
Kansas quarterback Jason Bean spent his time with the Jayhawks battling with Jalon Daniels for playing time. On the field, the current Indianapolis Colts signal caller threw for 4,662 yards and 38 touchdowns to 17 interceptions, adding 902 rushing yards and nine scores. Showboats quarterbacks Case Cookus and Troy Williams struggled behind a rough offensive line, but Bean could be the solution with his mobility and big-play potential.
In just one year at Memphis after transferring from Old Dominion, Blake Watson was a do-it-all back with 1,152 rushing yards and 480 receiving yards with 17 total touchdowns. The former Tiger looks to make the NFL with the Denver Broncos, but Watson potentially teaming up with Darius Victor would make for a dynamic duo.
Florida Atlantic entrusted Evan Anderson to dominate in the middle of the defensive line for four seasons. Anderson finished with 145 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 39 games. He looks to make his mark on the San Francisco 49ers, but Anderson could step in and help with a Showboats rush defense that allowed the second-most yards in the UFL last year.
Jalen Coker was one of the best receivers in the country statistically last year. He led the nation in receiving touchdowns (15) and set the Holy Cross school record. Coker is currently in Carolina with the Panthers, looking to make the final roster along with former Showboats receiver Daewood Davis, so there is a roster space open at receiver for Memphis.
While his performance dipped last year, Eric Watts showed his pass-rushing skills at UConn, putting up 152 tackles, 23 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in 47 games. Watts is with the New York Jets but could help a Memphis defense tied for second-to-last in the UFL in sacks with 19.
The former Sooners center started 29 games for Oklahoma, including landing on the second-team All-Big 12 selection last season. Andrew Raym joins Coker with the Carolina Panthers and he would significantly upgrade a Showboats offensive line that allowed a league-high 39 sacks in 10 games.
Linebacker Yvandy Rigby had a down season last year for Temple after a stellar sophomore season in 2022. Rigby finished his Owls career with 207 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and four sacks in 35 games. The Baltimore Ravens currently have Rigby on their roster, but if Rigby could join the Showboats, he could help a unit that was last in the UFL in total defense.
Ja’Quan Sheppard transferred to Maryland last season after spending four years with Cincinnati, racking up 31 tackles, eight pass deflections and three tackles for loss in 13 games last year. Sheppard is in Vegas with the Raiders and could be an early contributor to the UFL’s worst pass defense.
Currently a Philadelphia Eagle, tight end McCallan Castles played for Tennessee last year after transferring from UC Davis. Castles caught 22 passes for 283 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games for the Volunteers. He would join a crowded tight end room in Memphis led by Sage Surratt.
Mason Tipton finished his Yale career in the top six in catches (132), yards (2,067) and touchdowns (19) and was a three-time All-Ivy League selection. Tipton will take his first shot with the New Orleans Saints. If he joins the Showboats, he would fit well as a slot receiver.
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Patrik Laine has recently done a major interview in his home country, and in that interview, he hinted at testing the waters in free agency next summer. The NHL career of Patrik Laine has been a very intriguing one to follow, as he has had mixed success in his time with the Winnipeg Jets, Columbus Blue Jackets and Montreal Canadiens, with the talented forward dealing with struggles on and off the ice in that time. However, things have turned around in recent times after he enjoyed a solid campaign with Montreal last season, and now, in an interview in his home country of Finland, he's opened up on many topics. Laine hints at testing free agency in 2026 While he's been very happy in Montreal, the 27-year old still has a very long future ahead of him in the National Hockey League, and with the former No. 2 overall pick set to be a free agent next summer, he's hinted that he may test the waters after not having the opportunity for quite some time. 'It's a little different from what I'm used to. Before, I've always just gone to whoever owns my rights. Next summer I get to decide for myself. It's a nice and great situation.' In the interview, Laine notes that he's usually just sticking with the team that owns his rights, but he'll now finally hit unrestricted free agency, and with so many teams around the NHL cashed up and looking for great wingers, it may be his time to cash in and get paid on a long-term deal. After 20 goals in 52 games a year ago, Laine flashed the talent that once made him the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, and if he can stay healthy next season and post 30 or more, he'll be one of the top names available. If that does happen though, the team at the top of the list offering him a big deal will be the Canadiens, so don't be shocked if he remains, but for right now, he's looking to get himself into a position to cash in next off-season.
Forget trading the house and buying high for an aging Trey Hendrickson; the Chicago Bears have another player to think about getting in on before the regular season. On offense, the Bears have everything they need besides a left tackle and running back depth. Most of the focus in training camp has been on quarterback Caleb Williams and the passing game, but Chicago had a known weakness at running back entering the offseason. The Chicago Bears have a potential trade target Per NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Washington Commanders are shopping running back Brian Robinson Jr. in the preseason. “Sources: The Commanders have been shopping RB Brian Robinson Jr. to teams around the NFL,” Schultz wrote. “The former 3rd-round pick out of Alabama is entering the final year of his contract.” During his first three seasons in the league, Robinson has rushed 570 times for 2,329 yards (4.1 yards per rush) and 15 touchdowns. He’s helpful as a receiver out of the backfield, recording 65 receptions for 587 yards, and five touchdowns. Robinson would be a helpful addition to a Bears offense that struggled with the run last season, finishing 25th in rushing in D’Andre Swift’s first season in Chicago. The lack of production had many hoping the Bears would land Ashton Jeanty, but they were way too far back in the draft. Behind Swift, the Bears have Roschon Johnson and seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai.
The St. Louis Cardinals shook up the roster ahead of action on Saturday against the New York Yankees. Unfortunately, the Cardinals had to place Victor Scott II on the Injured List due to an ankle injury. The Cardinals brought up Nathan Church in response. That wasn't the Cardinals' only move of the day, though. St. Louis sent Roddery Muñoz down to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds and called up left-handed pitcher Anthony Veneziano in response, according to MLB.com's John Denton. "Cardinals made the following moves: CF Nathan Church promoted from Memphis for his MLB debut," Denton said. "LHP Anthony Veneziano has been recalled from Memphis. RHP Roddery Muñoz has been optioned to Memphis. OF Victor Scott II has been placed on the 10-day IL (left ankle sprain)." Church has gotten most of the headlines since the moves were announced. He's St. Louis' No. 14 prospect and hasn't made his big league debut ahead of the moves. Veneziano is someone who has made his big league debut, but hasn't pitched in St. Louis yet. He made his big league debut in 2023 as a member of the Kansas City Royals. In 2024, he spent time with the Royals and the Miami Marlins. Cardinals make yet another move to tinker the roster In 2023, he appeared in two games and didn't allow a run. Last season, he appeared in 12 total games with the Royals and the Marlins and pitched to a 3.38 ERA and 14-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 13 1/3 innings pitched. Veneziano spent time with the Miami Marlins this season and had a 4.71 ERA in 24 appearances before designated for assignment and being claimed by the Cardinals. Veneziano was claimed on Aug. 4th by the Cardinals and has quickly worked his way up to the big leagues for St. Louis. It's been an eventful few weeks for the Cardinals. The 2025 MLB trade deadline obviously led to changes with Ryan Helsley, Steven Matz, and Phil Maton all traded away. That led to a shakeup in the bullpen. Since then, the Cardinals have been tinkering and this is yet another example of that fact. Overall, Veneziano has 38 total appearances under his belt in the big leagues and a 3.93 ERA to show for it. Don't be surprised if he gets into action quickly as St. Louis pieces the bullpen together.
Earlier this summer, the Boston Celtics parted with the entirety of their center rotation for the 2024-25 season. They traded away Kristaps Porzingis and allowed Luke Kornet to leave via free agency, and while Al Horford is yet to sign with a new team, he isn't expected to return to Boston. With three bigs leaving in the same summer, Neemias Queta appears to have jumped from being the fourth-string big last season into the starting center role for the 2025-26 NBA season. And as the franchise is in a retooling year, it will likely try to develop the 7-foot rim-runner. Fortunately for Celtics fans, they're going to get a solid look at how Queta deals with starter-level minutes against high-level opponents in the coming weeks. The 26-year-old big man is with the Portuguese national team, where he will likely anchor the middle of the floor throughout the FIBA EuroBasket tournament. On Friday, Queta suited up against Iceland as part of Portugal's warmup schedule. He earned 14 minutes of playing time and quickly filled the box score, ending the contest with 12 points, six rebounds, one assist and one block. Queta has shown flashes of his upside since joining the Celtics. He played in 62 games last season despite being fourth on the depth chart. He's already proven that he's capable of making an impact against NBA-level opposition. However, there's a difference between earning some spot starts or making a splash against second units and to being a full-time starter. Queta will undoubtedly find himself working through a new learning experience, especially deep into the season, when games start to come at you fast. Fortunately for Queta and Celtics fans, the EuroBasket tournament will serve as a reliable proving ground. He will face some of the best bigs in the world this summer and could quickly squash any concerns Boston's fanbase may have. And with that in mind, Celtics fans will likely hope that Queta's performance against Iceland was a sign of things to come.